PHOTO | TROY HULL

Carolina Panthers running back D'Onta Foreman rumbled for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in their 37-23 win against Detroit Dec. 24 at Bank of America Stadium. The win sets Carolina (6-9) up for a showdown against Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South.

The Carolina Panthers is a different team than 10 weeks ago.

A 5-5 squad since interim head coach Steve Wilks took over for the fired Matt Rhule, the Panthers are still relevant in the NFC South and playing with purpose that didn’t exist previously. Saturday’s 37-23 win against Detroit was another step. That victory gives Carolina a shot at first in the division next week at Tampa Bay.

“We’ve made progress,” Wilks said. “I think this team has definitely done some good things. We’re still a long way away from where we’re trying to be. Our mindset is still to try and stay in the moment.”

After being overwhelmed by the moment the previous week against Pittsburgh, Carolina came back strong against Detroit, rolling up team records with 570 yards on offense, and 320 on the ground. D’Onta Foreman (21 carries, 165 yards, TD) and Chuba Hubbard (12 carries, 125 yards) exploited massive holes created by the offensive line and Sam Darnold connected on 15-of-22 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown without a turnover.

“We were able to run the ball when and how we wanted to run it and Sam was able to stay clean,” right tackle Taylor Moton said. “It’s a great day in the office to me but personally I’m never satisfied. I’m always looking to find ways to continue to get better.”

With the offense getting back to pounding Detroit on the ground, Carolina dominated time of possession at 35 minutes, 13 seconds. It also helped that the Panthers defense did its job, allowing 381 yards while holding the Lions to 33.3% third down efficiency (4-of-12).  

“(Wilks) just made the emphasis that basically our true character is going to shine by the way we respond from last week,” defensive end Brian Burns said. “I think Wilks is a dog, (defensive coordinator) Al (Holcomb) is a dog. I feel like that dog is shining through us all if you dig what I’m saying. … That message got the guys riled up and they played outstanding.”

That message is likely to be repeated over the next week with first place in the division on the line at Tampa Bay. Wilks, as usual, preaches the one-at-a-time approach to games, and it’ll be especially valuable for the Panthers, who haven’t had a sniff of the playoffs in five years.

“This team is still young in so many different ways,” he said. “I think for me being the head coach and being the leader of this team, I’ve got to make sure I keep that in perspective and make sure our focus is where it needs to be.”

Said Burns: “It means a lot. It’s good. It’s cool. We got an opportunity. We can’t make it too big for the moment if you know what I mean by that. We’ve just got to take it as is it’s a game. Take it one step at a time, one play at a time.”

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